§ MR. DAVID THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he can give the number of Welsh colonists in Patagonia, who are anxious to leave and settle in a British colony, and the colonies to which they desire to go; and, what result has followed the consideration that was being given last July by the Foreign Office and Colonial Office to the feasibility of furthering the wish.
§ * LORD CRANBORNEThe Government of Canada decided to send two 669 delegates to Chubut in order to investigate the case of the Welsh Colonists on the spot, and decide whether they should be afforded an opportunity of emigrating to Canada. The delegates were joined by Mr. E. Scott, a member of His Majesty's Legation at Buenos Ayres, and proceeded to Chubut at the end of September last. We are informed that about 500 Welsh colonists, out of a total number of 2,500 are ready to proceed to Canada. It was found impossible to make further arrangements on the spot, and the Canadian delegates have therefore returned to Canada and will prepare a report. A local Committee was formed as a medium of communication. I am not aware that at this investigation a definite wish was expressed by any of the colonists to go to any other colony than Canada.